On Dec. 16, the city of Malibu hosted a public workshop for “stakeholders” to discuss wastewater treatment options for the Civic Center to clean up the polluted waters in the creek, lagoon and ocean. Questa Engineering conducted the workshop, the scope of which was intended to include all feasible possibilities.
The presentation included data from a study conducted by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission. It features a sewer treatment plant on the Chili Cook-Off site to collect, treat and dispose of wastewater and surface runoff from existing and future development in the Civic Center. Questa’s final study is due Feb. 28.
Several attendees opposed a sewer treatment plant on the Chili Cook-Off site. Malibu voters, in their defeat of Measure M (The Malibu Bay Company development agreement) confirmed their opposition to a collector sewer system. Opposition to a County proposed sewer was one of the primary reasons for cityhood and local control. A sewer plant on the most prominent site in Malibu is not a desirable choice for many reasons.
The studies were designed to determine the impact on ocean water of surface runoff and septic wastewater from the Civic Center area. Study data showed that only areas close to the creek and beach, where it only took six months for ground water to reach the ocean, had the potential to pollute those waters. It did not establish whether the primary source of bacteria was animal or human waste, or from surface runoff or septic wastewater. If surface runoff, and/or animal waste and debris are the primary bacteria sources, small on-site treatment systems for each parcel might resolve whatever disposal problems are proven to exist. A 560 square foot treatment facility with the capacity to clean and disinfect surface runoff from the Civic Center, Cross Creek, and Malibu Road storm drains was approved last year to be located in the City-owned right of way at the Cross Creek/Civic Center Way intersection.
Significant progress in septic system design, control and small package treatment plans has occurred in recent years. Some of these systems have been implemented in Malibu to solve similar disposal problems thereby conforming to existing city law requiring wastewater to be disposed of on site. A sewer system as proposed in the Civic Center will enable more dense and intense commercial and visitor serving development than could be built under current law. This will, in turn, exacerbate the existing problems of traffic, pollution and noise. Intensification of development will change the character of Malibu.
Consideration of all possible solutions should be limited to correcting the existing sources of creek and ocean pollution, not undertaking a massive and costly sewer project designed to enable maximum build-out of commercial property in the Civic Center.
Efrom Fader